Torch, Fall 1999

teacher as well as spend more intimate time with God." As exciting as being in a foreign culture can be, loneliness is a reality. Michelle Clark '99 spent every night the first week crying herself to sleep and wondering why she was in Arizona. But through God's grace she managed to overcome the initial loneliness. "I always tell people when they ask me about my trip that I cried when I got there and I cried when I left." Most student teachers found the change in environment brought them closer to God. Mansfield recalled what she remembered about the loneliness. "I learned to trust. I had no comfort zone. I had no familiar faces- the closest I could get was an e-mail, when it worked! Sometimes I felt so alone and God was all I could turn to." Despite the challenges, the experience is one that has left its mark on each one who has gone. Mansfield's eyes were opened to a whole new view of life. Spending time in Africa greatly altered her perspectives. "I realized how superficial much of our American life is. People in Cameroon spend all of their energy, time, money, and resources simply on living. They don't look for entertainment. I learned that God is good because of who He is, not because of what He does in our lives. I learned that there is a real world that's hurting and dying and going to hell. I became uncomfortable with my own attitudes, wants, and desires. I pray that I will always be uncomfortable enough to care and pray and go." A New Career Path Santiago Christian School (SCS) in the Dominican Republic currently has four Cedarville graduates on staff, all of whom student taught there. Rick York, the director of SCS, is continually impressed with the type of students Cedarville sends. "Cedarville students have been consistently well-prepared and excited about teaching," he explained. "Their love for the Lord is evident, and their dedication to their students is outstanding." Greg Meeks, the superintendent of Morrison Christian Academy (MCA) in Taiwan, has been working with Cedarville student teachers for more than 10 years. MCA has hired seven Cedarville graduates since the overseas program began. Meeks stated, "Every student teacher we have had from Cedarville has done an exceptional job in the classroom. It is obvious that Cedarville graduates are receiving a quality program and they are well-prepared for the classroom." MCA usually requires that teachers have two years experience before they can be hired. However, the administration has made exceptions with Cedarville graduates and has hired them directly out of college because of confidence in their abilities and training. Many graduates who student taught interculturally return to a cross-cultural educational setting. Emily Weber '99 student taught at Faith Academy during the winter of 1999. She said "When I left to student teach at Faith Academy in the Philippines, I went with the knowledge that God was leading Torch 7